Cedric 3/24/08It's absolutely pathetic that people can't have an opinion from actually watching games and supplementing that with stats. If you voice an opinion that doesn't fit into a black/white box you will get completely misrepresented and basically called a tobacco chewing traditionalist...
I just think Frazier is the answer at 3B and as a 5th/6th place hitter eventually and would prefer he finally get some time to play that position. If he fails to rise to that level of player then fine turn him into a supersub. If they want to use him as a supersub initially until Rolen is gone after next season that's fine as well but he should get every opportunity to be an everyday player at one position just like everyone else. I happen to think the more he's talked about as a supersub the more likely he ends up there because his ceiling isn't quite as high as a Francisco. Perception by the fan base can have an effect if the F.O. and management isn't up to par and I don't feel they are. Great teams are built on a great foundation and guys like Frazier are that type of player IMO, I'd hate to see him undervalued, misused and/or dealt only to see him be a Paul O'Neill for someone else.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
I'd guess that Frazier will primarily play 3B in AAA in 2010. Louisville could be loaded but the defense could be iffy with lots of guys going to new positions.
1B Dorn (eventually or maybe initially Alonso)
2B Valaika
SS Cozart
3B Frazier
LF Francisco
CF Heisey
RF Henry
C Denove
SP Wood
If Frazier can handle the spot defensively (I'm guessing the jury is still out), he may be the guy to inherit the spot from Rolen. The Reds could re-up Rolen though or he may retire. I'm guessing that Rolen engineered the deal to cincy to be as close as he could to his home and probably won't leave on his own unless St. Louis wants him back (say if Larussa leaves town), otherwise he'll stay in Cincy until he retires. I'm not sure he's worth $11 Million anymore at his age, so Frazier moving into that spot would help the budget, I just think Walt will bring Rolen back for another couple years and 3B won't be an option. If Rolen moves on it could be different.
Frazier's bat still is a concern IMO. Other than roughly 125 PAs at Dayton, he's not been a monster with a .900 plus OPS anywhere. He been more of an .830ish type which is still pretty good, but I'd wonder what that translates to in the big leagues. If he's in the .780 to .800 range, then he may be a bit of a tweener. Not enough glove to play everyday where that would be a plus and not enough bat to be the type of hitter you'd want in a corner OF or 1B spot except possibly as a part of a platoon. It probably fits best at 3B, but if he's a butcher defensively, you're right back to having another EdE out there. Fact is, if Rolen sticks around, supersub is Frazier's best option and he'd be a good one - the type of depth that championship teams have. I'd guess if he played every day in a corner, he'd be the kind of guy who would leave us wanting an upgrade and would not be so attractive when his price starts going up.
Last edited by mth123; 10-02-2009 at 05:35 AM.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
Reds don't need a 3B, Rolen will be here another 3-4 years.
While I agree that Rolen will likely be extended beyond next season, perhaps the shuffle has finally found a spot for Frazier to settle into a regular 3b in AAA for a season and see how things sort themselves out.
It would seem that Stubbs is likely here to stay next year, starting in CF. Heisey is likely to take CF in AAA full time. Sounds like they're committed to Cisco playing LF, and he needs to spend next year in AAA both learning the position and tuning up his swing (though I've definently been more than impressed in what limited action I've seen from him so far), which would then open up 3b for Frazier to man all of next season in AAA and then allow the Reds to go from there in terms of extending Rolen (though I think that happens this offseason) or letting him move along after next season.
Of the above deals, I'd love to get Yunel, and would give even more than your propossed deal. I'd even give up Yonder for him, but the Braves don't have a need for a young 1B, so the Reds have to go another route. He could fill the reds SS hole, and top of the lineup hole for a good 5 seasons, which should put him right in the window of the Red's opportunity to make a run in the playoffs, assuming Votto, Bruce, Bailey, Cueto & a healthy Volquez can live up to their billing.
could frazier be alot like jeff kent? power guy playing second base who played alot of positions coming up in the minors. reds need to move BP to short and give frazier a shot when he's ready.
there's nothing like bowling a 300 game! 13 now and retired.
Ricky henderson has a higher OBP than C. patterson and he's retired. C. Trent 6-14-2008
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Excellent, I'd say, so far as these things go (not far, in my book).How's DeRosa for a Frazier comp?
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
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